Murder trial of former Dallas officer pauses until Monday

Murder trial of former Dallas officer pauses until Monday


Former police officer Amber Guyger in a Dallas courtroom.

9/28/19
DALLAS (AP) — The jury deciding the fate of a former Dallas police officer who shot and killed her unarmed black neighbor heard around five minutes of testimony on day six of the trial before being sent home. Amber Guyger, 31, who is white, is on trial for murder after she fatally shot 26-year-old Botham Jean, an accountant who was alone in his apartment when she came through his front door thinking it was her own. On Friday, Guyger testified that she mistook Jean’s fourth-floor apartment for her own, which is one floor below. She said she parked on the wrong level of the apartment complex, and walked into the unlocked door thinking it was her own. She says she killed Jean in self-defense, mistakenly thinking he was a burglar in her apartment who would harm her. “I hate that I have to live with this every single day of my life and I ask God for forgiveness, and I hate myself every single day,” Guyger told the jury. The jury will consider whether Guyger is guilty of murder, a lesser crime such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, or if she is not guilty. Jurors will report back to the court on Monday at 9:30 a.m.

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There were at least a dozen signs that told Amber Guyger she was entering the wrong apartment. And at the time, she was engaging in exchanging heated text messages with her patrol partner with whom she was having an affair. Guyger's defense team had her sign a document stating she was testifying against the legal advise of the defense lawyers. If Guyger thought her testimony would elicit sympathy with the 12 person jury, I think she was mistaken. I think she is in deep, deep trouble. The evidence is overwhelmingly against her defense of physical fatigue etc.

But then again all it takes is one juror to stymie a unanimous verdict (as it must be in a capital murder case). It is very possible that the jury votes guilty verdict of manslaughter.

Rogue Valley said:

Murder trial of former Dallas officer pauses until Monday

Former police officer Amber Guyger in a Dallas courtroom.



There were at least a dozen signs that told Amber Guyger she was entering the wrong apartment. And at the time, she was engaging in exchanging heated text messages with her patrol partner with whom she was having an affair. Guyger's defense team had her sign a document stating she was testifying against the legal advise of the defense lawyers. If Guyger thought her testimony would elicit sympathy with the 12 person jury, I think she was mistaken. I think she is in deep, deep trouble. The evidence is overwhelmingly against her defense of physical fatigue etc.

But then again all it takes is one juror to stymie a unanimous verdict (as it must be in a capital murder case). It is very possible that the jury votes guilty verdict of manslaughter.

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There is no way that self-defense is going to fly. I suspect that the jury will not agree on capital murder, but would agree on second degree murder (rejecting the self-defense due to confusion claim) if the judge offers them that option.

I read up on her version of the events.
Former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger Testifies About Killing Unarmed Neighbor Botham Jean
Something that jumps out at me is that she says he was advancing on her and the prosecution contends he was seated on the couch and did not get up. Shouldnt forensic science be able to determine which version is true?

Another thing that jumps out at me is how poorly trained the police are to handle themselves in these situtations. Her immeadiate reaction on pure instinct was to go in alone and shoot immeadiately when she thought he was not obeying a lawful command. That is a serious problem.

Her actions dont appear to be premeditated murder but she is definitely guility of some level of homicide. If i were on that jury she would be looking at serving anywhere from 7-20 years.

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This trial has now gone to the jury.

Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

A former Dallas police officer who fatally shot a black neighbor she mistook for an intruder was convicted of murder Tuesday and could face life in prison.
Amber Guyger, who is white, had testified that she was exhausted from an extended shift when she walked into the apartment of Botham Jean thinking it was her own. Guyger, 31, said she believed Jean, 26, was a burglar and shot him in self-defense.
Amber Guyger verdict: Jury finds ex-Dallas officer guilty of murder

Manslaughter seemed more appropriate.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

Justice is about sending a message anymore.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

So tired of the press playing the race card. No wonder we still have racial tension in the country. Unless race was a factor in Guyger's decision to shoot, it is a non factor.

It will be interesting to see what the jury will decide on jail time

I agree with you. manslaughter would be more appropriate.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

What details made this murder?

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

mike2810 said:

So tired of the press playing the race card. No wonder we still have racial tension in the country. Unless race was a factor in Guyger's decision to shoot, it is a non factor.

It will be interesting to see what the jury will decide on jail time

I agree with you. manslaughter would be more appropriate.

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Murder means she deliberately meant to murder that man. Manslaughter is when a person is wrongfully killed recklessly or carelessly, which seems the case here.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

"In the hallway outside the courtroom, a crowd celebrated and exclaimed, “Black lives matter.'' Guyger sat alone, weeping, at the defense table.The case, one in a string of episodes of white police officers killing unarmed black men, drew national attention and was closely followed in the Dallas area, where some feared mass protests if Guyger had been acquitted.

The jury that convicted Guyger was largely made up of women and people of color."

It appears that being white in now Democratic Dallas County (Democratic Sheriff, DA, Police Chief and both city and country government) is a criminal enhancement from manslaughter to murder.

The jury pool would have been selected by the District Clerk - a Democratic Latino woman - who apparently stacked the jury against the Defendant on racial and sex lines. Dallas County is 51% white and 49% male, but the jury was black and women. So much for a "jury of your peers," huh?

White people really should move out of any city run by Democrats because, inherently, by being white means that you are guilty of the crime of being a racist. Personally, in my opinion anyone who is with a police department, particularly if you are white, in a Democrat run jurisdiction is crazy.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

She had reason to believe it was her apartment because her key opened the door lock. The apartment was dark and a strange man was in it.

That her key operated the door locks seems THE most relevant factor, 100% reason to believe it was her apartment, and it would be interesting to explore WHY the door locks operated with her key. Seems like a mega lawsuit against the apartment complex - but I guess the jury decided she should have daily checked to see if her key worked in any other apartments in the complex or some other twisted theory of responsibility.

By reading of this she was found guilty of being white and a police officer, with black jurors walking past protesters shouting "black lives matter" plus seeing in on TV and threatening riots is she is found not guilty.

The case should NEVER have been tried in Dallas County with public threats of riots if she is found not guilty.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

joko104 said:

A former Dallas police officer who fatally shot a black neighbor she mistook for an intruder was convicted of murder Tuesday and could face life in prison.
Amber Guyger, who is white, had testified that she was exhausted from an extended shift when she walked into the apartment of Botham Jean thinking it was her own. Guyger, 31, said she believed Jean, 26, was a burglar and shot him in self-defense.
Amber Guyger verdict: Jury finds ex-Dallas officer guilty of murder

Manslaughter seemed more appropriate.

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My understanding is that although she says she told him to put his hands up, no one else heard her say that, and he was unarmed and sitting down on the couch with the television on. That’s hard to sell as a her shooting in (mistaken) self-defense. She was in uniform and had her radio on but did not call in that she thought her apartment had been broken in.

I certainly have not heard all the details, but it seems the jury didn’t see it as self-defense even if it had been her own apartment. The Castle doctrine still requires reasonable belief that deadly force is immediately necessary. From the circumstances I can see how a jury could decide it was not reasonable of her to think it immediately necessary. That makes it not self defense or defense of property, but murder.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

With the case and jury stacked against her on racial and sex lines - with jurors being informed there will be riots if she is acquitted, it was really stupid for her to have a white male defense attorney, but that wouldn't have been her choice. She couldn't afford a lawyer and had to take whoever she was given.

It struck me that the article said SHE SAT ALONE AT THE TABLE CRYING. So with the verdict her defense lawyer just walked away. Nice, huh?

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

mike2810 said:

It will be interesting to see what the jury will decide on jail time

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Cop in prison? White cop found guilty of deliberately going into the wrong apartment for the purpose of murdering a black man? I doubt the prison time matters because in real terms it will be a death sentence.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

pinqy said:

My understanding is that although she says she told him to put his hands up, no one else heard her say that, and he was unarmed and sitting down on the couch with the television on. That’s hard to sell as a her shooting in (mistaken) self-defense. She was in uniform and had her radio on but did not call in that she thought her apartment had been broken in.

I certainly have not heard all the details, but it seems the jury didn’t see it as self-defense even if it had been her own apartment. The Castle doctrine still requires reasonable belief that deadly force is immediately necessary. From the circumstances I can see how a jury could decide it was not reasonable of her to think it immediately necessary. That makes it not self defense or defense of property, but murder.

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Yes, I think your WRONG LAW in Texas was used by the jury too. In Texas, if you discovery someone is in your home as if a burglar you may use deadly force. It has always been that way in Texas law. But this case had nothing to do with law. It has to do with politics.

This case should never have been tried in Dallas County. The venue should have been changed. The jury not only had to decide on guilt, they also had to decide if they were willing to vote for a racial riot since that threat was all over the news.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

joko104 said:

Yes, I think your WRONG LAW in Texas was used by the jury too. In Texas, if you discovery someone is in your home as if a burglar you may use deadly force. It has always been that way in Texas law.

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Which law are you reading???? I’m looking at the Texas Penal Code, Title 2, chapter 9 SUBCHAPTER D. PROTECTION OF PROPERTY

Sec. 9.41. PROTECTION OF ONE'S OWN PROPERTY. (a) A person in lawful possession of land or tangible, movable property is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other's trespass on the land or unlawful interference with the property.
(b) A person unlawfully dispossessed of land or tangible, movable property by another is justified in using force against the other when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to reenter the land or recover the property if the actor uses the force immediately or in fresh pursuit after the dispossession and:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the other had no claim of right when he dispossessed the actor; or
(2) the other accomplished the dispossession by using force, threat, or fraud against the actor.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.


Sec. 9.42. DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect land or tangible, movable property:
(1) if he would be justified in using force against the other under Section 9.41; and
(2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary:
(A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or
(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the property; and
(3) he reasonably believes that:
(A) the land or property cannot be protected or recovered by any other means; or
(B) the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.


Your interpretation doesn’t seem to match the actual law.

Amber Guyger convicted of murder for killing Botham Jean

Guilty of capital murder. I stated in Post #1 that IMO she was in deep trouble after testifying on her own behalf.

The defense argued the Castle Doctrine applied and hoped for not guilty or manslaughter. But Guyger was not defending her own home. She was the intruder.

The sentencing phase of the trial is going on now. The judge can impose a sentence anywhere between 5 and 99 years.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

joko104 said:

It struck me that the article said SHE SAT ALONE AT THE TABLE CRYING. So with the verdict her defense lawyer just walked away. Nice, huh?

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She was convicted of murdering an unarmed man who had done nothing wrong. She's not the victim here Joko.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

Serenity said:

She was convicted of murdering an unarmed man who had done nothing wrong. She's not the victim here Joko.

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I think that murder might be a stretch. She's clearly guilty of homicide. I didn't know that her key was able to open his apartment's door. That is a (pardon) a key fact. I also think the threat of violence if the jury acquitted plays a role.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

TurtleDude said:

I think that murder might be a stretch. She's clearly guilty of homicide. I didn't know that her key was able to open his apartment's door. That is a (pardon) a key fact. I also think the threat of violence if the jury acquitted plays a role.

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You ignored my larger point. She isn't the victim here (as Joko is trying to paint her as.)

She said she intended to kill him. She testified that she found the door unlocked, and noticed it open slightly when she pushed her key into what she said she thought was her apartment.

She killed an innocent man. She is no victim.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

Serenity said:

You ignored my larger point. She isn't the victim here (as Joko is trying to paint her as.)

She said she intended to kill him. She testified that she found the door unlocked, and noticed it open slightly when she pushed her key into what she said she thought was her apartment.

She killed an innocent man. She is no victim.

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never said she was-other than perhaps a bad verdict. she screwed up, the dead guy didn't nothing wrong. The only issue is what is her degree of guilt. IMHO, it MIGHT not be murder. nothing more, nothing less

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

TurtleDude said:

never said she was-other than perhaps a bad verdict. she screwed up, the dead guy didn't nothing wrong. The only issue is what is her degree of guilt. IMHO, it MIGHT not be murder. nothing more, nothing less

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I think the proper charge would be above manslaughter and below murder. We almost need a new classification as this case is unlike any other I can remember.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

joko104 said:

Murder means she deliberately meant to murder that man. Manslaughter is when a person is wrongfully killed recklessly or carelessly, which seems the case here.

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Wrong yet again.
She testified that she intended to kill him.
As usual, you post garbage and misinformation.
Educate yourself for once before posting. Just once.

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

joko104 said:

"In the hallway outside the courtroom, a crowd celebrated and exclaimed, “Black lives matter.'' Guyger sat alone, weeping, at the defense table.The case, one in a string of episodes of white police officers killing unarmed black men, drew national attention and was closely followed in the Dallas area, where some feared mass protests if Guyger had been acquitted.

The jury that convicted Guyger was largely made up of women and people of color."

It appears that being white in now Democratic Dallas County (Democratic Sheriff, DA, Police Chief and both city and country government) is a criminal enhancement from manslaughter to murder.

The jury pool would have been selected by the District Clerk - a Democratic Latino woman - who apparently stacked the jury against the Defendant on racial and sex lines. Dallas County is 51% white and 49% male, but the jury was black and women. So much for a "jury of your peers," huh?

White people really should move out of any city run by Democrats because, inherently, by being white means that you are guilty of the crime of being a racist. Personally, in my opinion anyone who is with a police department, particularly if you are white, in a Democrat run jurisdiction is crazy.

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She got what she deserved.
How do you not know where your apartment is located?

How long had she lived in the apartment complex?
Ever seen the victim in the past?
How many apartments, how many stories is the building?
What was she drinking or smoking on the night of the shootings for her to enter the wrong apartment?

Re: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighr's shooting

TurtleDude said:

never said she was-other than perhaps a bad verdict. she screwed up, the dead guy didn't nothing wrong. The only issue is what is her degree of guilt. IMHO, it MIGHT not be murder. nothing more, nothing less

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I think the verdict is spot on. Her life wasnt in danger and she just opened fire.